ESPN reports that the Phillies have called an 11:30 am news conference where they will officially remove the "interim" tag from Ryne Sandberg and make him the team's new manager.

Sandberg, 54, replaced longtime Phillies manager Charlie Manuel in August and the team has subsequently gone 18-16 in the 34 games following. There appears to be a different attitude in the clubhouse which is a positive sign. Sandberg left the Cubs organization following the 2010 season to manage the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs. He became the Phillies bench coach this season before being named interim manager.